Squatty Potty Review: 5 years of testing it out.

Squatty Potty Review: 5 years of testing it out.

In this Squatty Potty review. I’m going to be brutally honest, and not just about whether or not the Squatty Potty really works (or whether or not you really need it), I’m also going to talk openly about how we do our business… you know, the big #2.

Yeah, we’re going to do some potty talk.

But first, it’s time you take a good long think about your toilet. Because sitting on a toilet is actually really bad for your health.

Sitting on the toilet is bad!?

Let’s back up for just a minute. The human body is awesome. Seriously awesome. It can heal itself, work without conscious effort, and has an amazing track record for dealing with less than desirable living/eating/exercising conditions. With all that said, however, the human body was designed to work certain ways. Sure you can put all the junk food you want in it, but at a price. And sure you can live a completely sedentary lifestyle, but at a price. And yes, you can even use your current toilet and do “the job” somewhat well.

But at a price.

So before I ever first grabbed my own Squatty Potty, before I ever thought about writing a Squatty Potty review, I first needed to know why my current toilet sitting habits were bad.

The western toilet is a health issue. Check this out.

Did you know using your toilet can lead to:

Constipation

Hemorrhoids

Colon Disease

Pelvic Floor Issues

Less Effective Elimination

And did you know the the human body was designed to squat while eliminating? And that specific muscles and organs in your body are compromised when not in the full squatting position?

In fact, patients with colon issues are often recommended (and sometimes required) to squat as part of their healing protocol.

Honestly, I remember reading an article on this several years ago and it didn’t surprise me. After all, we know that there are optimal positions for things like labor (and generally speaking, it’s not on your back like hospitals would like you to believe). And up until recent history (and still in many countries) squatting is just how the whole toilet thing was/is done.

Now, don’t get me wrong… I still love my sitting toilet.

I love the ease, cleanliness, and purpose of my toilet. That is why, despite the fact that I’ve known for several years that sitting on the toilet is not the best way to go, I still use it. And lest any of you assume I’m about to advise you to throw yours out, you can all take a sigh of relief.

Yes, your toilet is a health hazard, but there is a better way.

Remember how sitting on a toilet has been linked to things like constipation, hemorrhoids, colon disease, and pelvic floor issues? And remember that our body was designed to squat while eliminating because it provides the needed release of certain muscles and organs?

But maybe you are still hesitant to switch your toilet ways because…. well, because who wants to squat on the toilet? Trust me. I get it. I understand the hesitation. Not because I was really hesitant myself (I love a good squat!), but because my husband was.

First up, my skeptical husband’s Squatty Potty review:

Here’s something you should know about my husband: He’s one of the most supportive people I know. I never try to push my hippie-natural ways on him. But he has pretty much been on board with everything I’ve done. He’s my number one advocate for real food. And even when I stopped using conventional shampoo, sunscreen, tampons, and pretty much said “so long, sucker!” to all cleaning/personal care products… he was always cheering me on.

Here’s another thing you should know about my husband: He’s one of those weird guys who gets really proud about his bowel movements. TMI? Sorry. But it’s true.

Enter the Squatty Potty.

I figured that when I stumbled upon a new item called the squatty potty that Tom would be SO on board. Seriously, I was so excited to tell him. I thought he’d do a jig to celebrate!

Uh, yeah. It didn’t go that way.

First, I showed him the following video:

Then I talked about the science behind our anatomy and why squatting is so important for elimination. He just sort of stared at the computer screen in a weird daze. He wasn’t upset or anything, but he looked kind of freaked out. Apparently, he needed some time to consider the idea of doing a toilet squat.

But guess what? Even when he’s not sure about my wacko ways, he still supports me. You know what that means? Even with his hesitation, he tried doing the toilet squat. That’s right, we purchased a squatty potty and tried it out. What a champ, right?

And that’s how we became experts at the toilet squat in no time.

So…what does Tom think about it? I think I can sum up his thoughts in a super short text conversation I had with him while he was away at work not long after we were initiated into the toilet squatting club:

Me: How are you doing?

Him: Doing well. On the toilet. Wishing I had some paint cans right about now.

Paint cans?

Yep. My husband wants paint cans at work. Well, actually he wanted a squatty potty at work, but he’s not sure how to bring it up without looking super weird. Paint cans would do the job.

Turns out he loves the toilet stool. He loves it. I hear about it all the time. Seriously. All the time. (It’s actually kind of ridiculous how much he loves it.)

Why the toilet squat is the way to go.

Using a toilet stool, like the squatty potty, helps you eliminate faster and more completely by putting you in the squatting position right over your own toilet. And without getting too heavy in the details, when in the “toilet squat” position you have more complete evacuation of your… er… waste. There is less pressure on the veins. Less bloating, gas, and constipation.

Something that both my husband and I noticed right away is that squatting really did reduce the time required to do our business. It was just… easier.

But do you really need a Squatty Potty?

Here’s the brutally honest part of my Squatty Potty review. You can find other simple ways to improve your bathroom habits. In fact, while we were waiting for our Squatty Potty to arrive we used our daughters little step stool. It was a little cumbersome because it doesn’t conveniently slide under the toilet like the Squatty Potty, but it did help do the job (although for me I like having the height of the tallest squatty potty). Yes, you could also use paint cans. I’ve heard of people making their own, too.

Someone asked if they could just bend over and get the same results. Not quite. While this may be more effective than just normal sitting, having your feet propped up helps with the efficiency of having a solid ground for your feet. Otherwise you might start straining other muscles in the process. No bueno.

And hey, if it doesn’t weird you out you can just stand on your toilet and squat. But that weirds me out, so I prefer a stool of some sort.

So what’s the verdict for my Squatty Potty review?

It’s been more more than five years since we first tried the Squatty Potty. And I still like it. I like that I can keep it out of the way. I like that my kids can use it and make their life as little people on an adult size toilet easier. I like that my husband really likes it.

But mostly, I like that it helps me use my body in a more natural way. I like that it keeps my colon happy and keeps me spending less time in the bathroom. And I really liked it for those first few weeks after giving birth to my kids. It was a lifesaver during those healing times. So, yes, I give it two enthusiastic thumbs up.

Hi! I'm Robin and I’m passionate about healthy living: feeling nourished, having energy, getting good sleep, and feeling strong. I believe healthy living does not have to be complicated or stressful.
I’m a Registered Somatic Movement Therapist (RSMT) and a Certified Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst (CLMA). I’m also an avid researcher and love to read about nutrition, the body, and toxic-free living. Learn more.